There was no thought, no inhale, nothing but panic and instinct. I dove into the water after Petunia, hands grasping desperately for the disappearing leash end that trailed away from me far too quickly. The water wasn't that deep, but it was deep enough and dark, the inkiness of it engulfing me as I propelled myself beneath the cold surface of the lake after my pug's plummeting form.

Time stood still, my chest aching from the lack of breath I'd failed to take, my eyes ...